Why the Trump Gold Card Doesn’t Really Compete with the EB-5 or the Diversity Visa Program
Trump Gold Card vs EB-5
The newly announced “Trump Gold Card” has made headlines around the world as a supposed fast-track route to U.S. residency for those who can afford it. But as professional immigration advisors with over 25 years of experience helping people move to the United States, we can confidently say that this program is not a real solution for ordinary people. It is built for the ultra-rich, not for the millions of dreamers who truly wish to build a new life in America.
The idea behind the Gold Card may sound attractive at first glance, but once you look closer, it becomes clear that this is not a genuine immigration opportunity, it is simply a financial contribution disguised as a visa. And while the EB-5 Program also requires investment, it is at least based on job creation and economic growth, not on donations to the government with no return.
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The Problem with the Trump Gold Card
The Trump Gold Card requires a non-refundable “gift” of one million dollars to the U.S. government. There is no return, no investment, no creation of jobs, and no contribution to the U.S. economy beyond writing a check. It is, in every sense, a pay-to-enter scheme that gives residency only to those who can afford to buy it.
In our professional opinion, this is not how immigration should work. The American dream has always been about opportunity, not privilege. A true immigration program should be fair, transparent, and accessible to everyone who wants to contribute, not just the wealthy few. The Gold Card fails on every one of those principles.
And let us not forget that this program is created only by executive order, meaning it could disappear the moment a new administration takes office. This makes it highly unstable and legally uncertain for anyone considering it.
Why the EB-5 Program Remains Superior
By contrast, the EB-5 Investor Visa Program has been a well-established and respected part of U.S. immigration law since 1990. It allows qualified foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency through real investment in the American economy and the creation of at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Unlike the Trump Gold Card, the EB-5 is not a donation, it is an investment. The minimum amount is $800,000 for projects located in targeted employment areas, which are usually regions that need economic support. Investors not only have the potential to recover their capital, but they also make a genuine contribution to the country’s growth and employment.
The EB-5 Program is supported by Congress and managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, meaning it is based on federal law, not a temporary political decision. It has survived multiple administrations and continues to be one of the most credible investor-based immigration programs in the world.
The Diversity Visa Program – The Real Path for Everyone
While the EB-5 Program is fair, it still requires a substantial investment. That is why the Diversity Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Program, remains the most inclusive and life-changing opportunity for ordinary people who dream of living and working in the United States.
Unlike the EB-5, the Diversity Visa Program does not require any investment at all. It was designed to promote cultural diversity and allow people from around the world to experience the American Dream regardless of their financial situation. It offers a direct pathway to permanent residency for individuals and families who meet simple eligibility requirements such as education and nationality.
At the US Green Card Office, we believe immigration should be open to everyone, not just those with deep pockets. That is why we continue to help millions of applicants every year through our paid professional Diversity Visa Service, ensuring every application is correctly completed, approved, and ready for submission each year.
The Bottom Line
The Trump Gold Card might appeal to millionaires, but it is not a serious immigration program for the global community. The EB-5 remains the established, lawful, and economically meaningful option for investors. And for everyone else, the Diversity Visa Program is still the best, fairest, and most realistic opportunity to make the dream of living in the United States a reality.
Understanding the EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to encourage foreign investment and stimulate job creation in the American economy. It allows qualified foreign nationals to gain lawful permanent residency by investing in U.S. businesses and creating at least ten full-time jobs for American workers.
The standard minimum investment is $1,050,000, but this can be reduced to $800,000 if the project is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) such as a rural or high-unemployment region.
In 1992, the Regional Center Program was introduced to make EB-5 participation easier. Regional Centers are approved organizations that manage investment projects, handle due diligence, and track job creation for investors. This structure allows participants to combine direct, indirect, and induced job creation when meeting the ten-job requirement.
Once approved, investors receive a conditional green card valid for two years. After demonstrating that their investment was maintained and that the required jobs were created, the investor and their family can remove those conditions and become lawful permanent residents of the United States. After five years, they may apply for U.S. citizenship.
Key Benefits of the EB-5 Visa
- Path to Citizenship: After five years of residency, visa holders can apply for full U.S. citizenship.
- Freedom to Live Anywhere: Holders can live and work anywhere in the United States, regardless of their investment location.
- Education Opportunities: Green Card holders can attend U.S. schools and universities at the same cost as American citizens.
- Business Flexibility: Investors can work, start a business, or retire anywhere in the country.
- Family Inclusion: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 are included under one application.
| Feature | Trump Gold Card | EB-5 Investor Visa | Diversity Visa Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Created By | Executive order by President Trump | U.S. Congress in 1990 | U.S. Congress, administered by the U.S. State Department |
| Financial Requirement | Non-refundable “gift” of USD 1 million | Investment of USD 800,000 to 1,050,000 depending on project location | No investment required |
| Return on Funds | None, the contribution is a donation | Possible return of investment depending on project success | Not applicable |
| Purpose | Financial contribution to the U.S. government | Investment to create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs | Promoting diversity by allowing applicants from under-represented countries |
| Path to Green Card | Yes, but based on a temporary executive order | Yes, fully supported by federal law | Yes, permanent U.S. residency through annual selection process |
| Program Stability | Uncertain, can be changed or cancelled by a future administration | Very stable, established in U.S. law for over 30 years | Highly stable and recognized worldwide |
| Who It Benefits | Wealthy individuals and corporations | Investors who can contribute to U.S. job creation | Ordinary people from around the world |
| Processing Time | 8 to 12 months on average | 12 to 24 months depending on project and country | Varies by year but generally fast once selected |
| Number of Applicants Accepted | Limited and unclear | Limited by investment capacity and visa caps | Up to 55,000 winners selected each year |
| Best For | Ultra-wealthy individuals seeking quick residency | Entrepreneurs and investors ready to create U.S. jobs | People who wish to live and work in the United States without any investment |
